PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The La Salle women's basketball team took an early lead in the first quarter that it held until Monmouth mounted a comeback out of the half, but a strong fourth-quarter effort put the Explorers on top 66-60 on Wednesday night in Tom Gola Arena.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Monmouth was the first to the bucket but a 10-0 run from the Explorers ensued through the fourth minute to put La Salle up by eight, 10-2. A Claire Jacobs 3-pointer at the 2:16 mark gave the Explorers an 11-point advantage that the Hawks answered with a three of their own. The Explorers maintained a 2-1 edge through the rest of the frame to take a nine-point lead into the second quarter, 19-10.
• The Hawks quickly regrouped with seven unanswered points to start the second quarter before sending Mia Jacobs to the line for one to extend La Salle's lead to five, 21-16. Foul trouble brought Monmouth within a single point until an offensive board and put back by Amy Jacobs extended La Salle's lead to three, 23-20, before the media. Kayla Spruill hit the deep ball from the corner to change the pace and start the Explorers on a 5-0 spurt to pull ahead by eight, 28-20. Monmouth tried to mount a comeback but the Explorers stuffed the attempt thanks to a Mia Jacobs 3-pointer to take a 33-28 lead into the half.
• The Hawks took their first lead since the beginning seconds of the first quarter at the 5:37 mark until a July Jekot Jumper and two made Mia Jacobs free throws tied it up just over a minute later. The Hawks regained the lead with two minutes left to hold a single-point edge over the Explorers at the end of the third quarter, 46-45.
• La Salle came out ready to fight with a 10-0 run through the 6:55 mark when foul trouble for the Explorers put the Hawks at the line for two, 55-48.
• 10-0 run through the 6:55 mark when foul trouble for the Explorers put the Hawks at the line for two, 55-48. A Claire Jacobs driving layup continued the scoring momentum for the Explorers who took a 4-0 run out of the game for the 66-60 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Veterans Kayla Spruill and Claire Jacobs were joined by rookie Mia Jacobs as the leading scorers for La Salle each earning 13 points apiece.
• Mia Jacob and Claire Jacobs paired with sister Amy Jacobs for 34 of the Explorers 66 points in the contest.
• Spruill and Claire Jacobs led the Explorers in rebounding with six boards each followed by Amy Jacobs with five.
• Mia Jacobs led La Salle from the charity stripe with a perfect 8-of-8 effort.
• La Salle turned the ball over 17 times to the Hawks 22 and held the advantage in points off turnovers 21-15.

GAME NOTES:

• The victory marks La Salle's first home win in the series since 1983.  The Explorers are now 6-1 in the all-time series and hold a three-game win streak over the Hawks.
• The Explorers are now 6-0 when leading at halftime.
• Mia Jacobs set a new career-high in points with 13. The game marked her first double-digit effort of the season. The freshman also set a career-high from the free throw line shooting 8-of-8. She has now recorded 100% from the foul line in five games this season including three with four or more free throws made.
• Claire Jacobs' 13 points mark her second-straight double-digit effort and seventh overall this season. Her six rebounds mark a season high.
• Kayla Spruill has now recorded 10-plus in eight of 11 contests
• Amy Jacobs has now recorded at least five rebounds in seven games this season including the last five-straight.

UP NEXT:

• La Salle hits the road to face UMES on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.